Suffield School Budget Plan Headed to Board of Finance

The Suffield Board of Finance will hear a presentation on the proposed $31.8 million school budget at its April 1 meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Karen Baldwin will outline a spending plan of $31,856,239 for the 2013-14 school year, an increase of $592,296 over the current year, according to the budget proposal approved by the Board of Education last week.

The proposed increase amounts to just under 2 percent from 2012-13.

A significant change from the current year will be the implementation of all-day kindergarten. Inclusion of that program, including a half-day option, is estimated to raise spending by $137,527.

Significant savings in the plan will be reaped by a new health insurance contract, which is expected to save the district $430,000.

Enrollment in Suffield public schools is expected to increase by 132 students in 2013-14, to 2,599.

Baldwin's entire budget plan can be viewed at www.suffield.org.

The April 1 Board of Finance meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the conference room at the Suffield Police Department, 911 Mountain Rd.